"Mazda applies 'zoom-zoom' philosophy to CX-7"

I've been really impressed lately with both Mazda in general and with what I've read about the CX-7. If you look at the other comparable vehicles (Acura MDX and some of the other good looking SUV's with some sporting pretenses) I think it blows them out when you consider price. Performance looks quite good, handling quite good, the design of the interior is as good or better that anything and the ergonomics seem just right. Am I crazy or is it almost $10k below what it competes with?

This isn't an endorsement of SUV's so please spare me the diatribes, I'm simply talking about apples to apples. I'm proud of Mazda, keep it up! Even the marketing of the new spider miata, they appear to have released just two pics, both super high quality pics, a beautiful new paint color and the key, they are teaser photos. Not a closed view and an open view but a teaser view getting everyone talking, wondering what it'll look like with the top up / down, getting the anticipation up. Very well done.

Mazdaspeed Miata? Mazda?

Mazdaspeed RX-8 is long overdue, come on Mazda, no time to rest!

Chris

99BBB

I basically agree, and I could certainly use a vehicle like that for many things that my miata can not do, but isn't it just a station wagon that sits a bit higher than normal? I don't think I would call it a SUV, or even a crossover. BMSW is my term for it. (Big Modern Station Wagon).

Pat

You might be right on that but what are names really? Marketing devices I guess.

Chris

99BBB

Very true, I doubt if it would sell as well if Mazda called it an off-road capable station wagon. Just look at how much of an argument it starts when people start trying to define "sports car".

I do agree that Mazda is improving. A few years ago I would have told people to look at Toyotas and Hondas for reliability, with the exception of the miata from Mazda because of my first-hand experience with the incredible reliability of the car. Now I am looking into other Mazda cars as well for sedan or *big station wagon* alternatives.

Pat

I bought their minivan (MPV) for my wife the first year it came out. Owned it for 10 years and absolutely loved it. I was extremely impressed with not only it's fit and finish but with the quality of materials used. Seat fabrics and plastics throughout were top notch and all of the switches and controls worked in a quality fashion. All that from a first year model of a new type of vehicle for them.

During those years I owned it, almost all of the Mazda owners I ran into had similar experiences. I could never figure out how Mazda's reputation lagged behind several of the other big Japanese manufacturers.

I know they're not perfect hell, my own miata still worries me on the #4 bearing cap failure issue of which I don't think Mazda ever took the high road on.

Chris

99BBB

I really think that the rotary engine had a lot to do with it, even though it was not used on many of their vehicles. Even I would look at a

3rd generation RX-7, think what a beautiful car, and then immediately wonder what the bill would be when it came time to replace the apex seals.

From what I have heard, the 626 is a bit of a POS, but I don't have any direct experience with it. It seems like every non-U.S. car driver I knew that wasn't driving a miata or a SUV was in a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. The ones driving the Nissans had the highest problem rate by far of the three mentioned.

Mazda's reputation probably had a lot to do with advertising. Honda and Toyota didn't really need it, word of mouth and Consumer Reports was enough. Nissan has had great advertising in the last 8 years or so, imho. I think that Mazda's advertising sucked then and still sucks today, but then, I hate "zoom-zoom", the song, the idea, the vinyl stickers, and anything else connected with it. It might actually be good advertising for Mazda, I just don't like it, but I do like their products. ;-)

Pat

I pretty much agree on the advertising. Oh, and on the rotary being a knock on the reputation of the company

chris

99bbb

Well, screw you then, let's find something to argue about. There are far better colors than black for a miata, what were you thinking? ;-)

Pat - NOT looking forward to the fireworks show from the front porch this year due to *rain*, the bane of miata owners.

Well, we can't all drive RED MIATAS! :-)

Chris

99BBB

Now Chris !!! Sure we "COULD" all drive "Red" Miatas, but we need to factor in IQ's with that. :-) :-) :-)

Bruce Bing '03 LS (hee, hee, hee, Garnet Red)

True; there have never been enough red ones to go around, so the unlucky must settle for one of the lesser colors. :-)

No, you're not crazy, but the CX-7 doesn't really compete with the MDX--it will compete with the RDX when it comes out. The RDX will be a much more similar vehicle.

To prove your point, go to edmunds.com and build a Nissan Murano side-by-side with a CX-7. The specs are almost identical but the Mazda is about $8k cheaper.

Sure, but they haven't sold that for years, have they? The 6 is a pretty capable car as a replacement.

I think that's changed, too. I've got two Nissans with nary a problem between them, and one's over 150k miles.

Kind of a "pick your battles" type of situation, huh?

Gottcha, good point.

Chris

99BBB

Good shot Lanny! I love it. The Miatas that we see as Black, or White, are really just "off shades" of Red. :-)

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Sure, Bruce, just like the refractive colors on a mallard duck.

Frank

2002 LS, brilliant black with tan leather...

I don't know the last year that they made the 626, but the Mazda reputation was being affected while they were in production. At the same time, they were producing the RX-7, with the famous apex seals issue. Now I think that both the products and the reputation are improving, with the exception of the miata, of course, which was perfected in 1989. ;-)

I agree, I think that Mazda, Honda, Toyota and Nissan are all in basically the same league at this point. 10 years ago, I would have left both Mazda and Nissan out of the running except for the miata because of my own personal experience with it.

Yes, I had to remind myself that design and marketing are two different departments after seeing that "zoom-zoom" Tribute commercial with a Miata in it.

Pat

I remember the one and thought the same thing.

Frank ! You got it ! :-)

Bruce Bing '03 LS